Castable and conductive light metal alloys for next-generation automotive powertrain applications

用于下一代汽车动力总成应用的可铸造和导电轻金属合金

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04169
• 负责人: Elsayed, Abdallah
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=737456
• 关键词: Castable; conductive; light; metal; alloys

The automotive industry will change more in the next ten years than in the last 100 years combined. Rapid and significant climate change has motivated the development of low-cost, efficient automotive vehicles without compromising safety. New technologies to meet these challenges include 1) lightweighting with advanced materials and 2) powertrain electrification (hybrid, battery electric and fuel cells) to improve efficiency. Hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell powertrains contain battery trays, motor and inverter casings, conductor plates, battery cooling systems and in-car electronic casings to operate. These components as well as others must quickly absorb and dissipate heat (i.e. have high thermal conductivity) for efficient vehicle operation while still being lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Conventional aluminum and magnesium alloys have the required strength/weight ratios for automotive applications. However, existing alloys were developed for combustion based automotive powertrains and do not have the requisite high thermal conductivity while still being easy to manufacture that next-generation hybrid, electric and fuel cell powertrains demand. The objective of this research program is to investigate non-traditional alloy additions and composite reinforcements to produce novel castable, high thermal conductivity aluminum and magnesium alloys. We will examine the relationships between microstructure, processing and thermal conductivity using solidification analysis, in depth microstructure characterization, mechanical testing and castability evaluation (hot tearing, fluidity and shrinkage). The research builds upon the applicants' industrial and academic experience in solidification and processing of light alloys (aluminum and magnesium) for the automotive and aerospace sectors. Successful completion of the proposed research will offer a unique and enriching training environment for HQP, who will be exposed to state-of-the-art experimental methods, knowledge gathering and soft skills that will be directly transferable to careers in academia and industry. This significant research will further the understanding of composition and casting for high thermal conductivity aluminum and magnesium alloys necessary for next-generation automotive powertrains. Canada will see substantial and immediate benefits from this research and sustain its position as a world class automotive economy. In addition, the research will help Canada reach its emission targets by promoting next-generation powertrains for a sustainable transportation sector.

汽车行业在未来十年的变化将超过过去100年的总和。快速而显著的气候变化推动了低成本、高效率汽车的发展，同时又不影响安全性。应对这些挑战的新技术包括：1）采用先进材料实现轻量化; 2）动力系统电气化（混合动力、电池电动和燃料电池）以提高效率。混合动力、电池电动和燃料电池动力系统包含电池托盘、电机和逆变器外壳、导电板、电池冷却系统和车载电子外壳。这些部件以及其他部件必须快速吸收和散热（即具有高导热性）以用于有效的车辆操作，同时仍然是轻质的、廉价的和易于制造的。 传统的铝和镁合金具有汽车应用所需的强度/重量比。然而，现有的合金是为基于燃烧的汽车动力系统开发的，并且不具有必要的高导热性，同时仍然易于制造下一代混合动力系统、电动和燃料电池动力系统所需的材料。本研究计划的目的是研究非传统的合金添加剂和复合增强剂，以生产新型可浇注的高导热铝和镁合金。我们将通过凝固分析、深入的微观结构表征、力学测试和可铸性评估（热裂、流动性和收缩率）来研究微观结构、加工和导热性之间的关系。该研究基于申请人在汽车和航空航天领域轻合金（铝和镁）凝固和加工方面的工业和学术经验。成功完成拟议的研究将为HQP提供一个独特而丰富的培训环境，他们将接触到最先进的实验方法，知识收集和软技能，这些技能将直接转移到学术界和工业界的职业生涯中。这项重要的研究将进一步了解下一代汽车动力系统所需的高导热铝和镁合金的成分和铸造。加拿大将从这项研究中获得巨大的直接利益，并保持其作为世界级汽车经济体的地位。此外，该研究还将通过为可持续交通部门推广下一代动力系统，帮助加拿大实现其排放目标。